Corrugated metallic element



June 19, 1928.

, 1,674,137 A. E. SMALL v CORRUGATED METALLIC ELEMENT -F i1e i0ct.19, 1922 foray Patented June 19, 1928.

Anwmm PAT N ZQ E-Q r. BI'ALL, or cnIcAe rL I'NoIs, nssrqno n T UNION METAL rmnpo'rs oonrm, or cnrcnao, rumors, A oon'romvrron or DELAWARE.

oonmoonrnn METALLIC ELEMENT.

1 we m g petiober 19, 1922. Serial No. 595,632

My ly llti n r ate t he str -ti of railway cars, and more particularly, to

metallic lates or anels formed with integml mm ng. st fifln ng nd m n 5 rngations or emhossments which niay 'e incorporated in the construction of ear end alls, side Walls, floors, roofs or doors used in connection with railway cars ofithe vai ns types l i 1 one of the ohjeet'sof ny inye n tion to provide a corrugated metallic plate structure for railway carsinlwhich the corrugations hare a cpnfiguratior and arrangement that impart 'to the plate or structure composed of plates at greaterfleapacitytor resisting the mechanical, forces tending to destroy n by h m mea k p ig reduced to a minimnm.

Another object is to form a metallic plate with integral'corrugatiohs or ribs "which ima t i a was swe t stren and rigidity ad'a cent the edges fthe plate to resist loads imposed thereon and. to provide other integral eorrngations ,or ribs within such corrugations adjacent the midrile-thereof to provide a certain amount or resiliency adjacent the middle pr the eorrugation to nable the plate to deflect and return to i normal position ithoutappreciable amount of permanent distortion.

Another ob'ect is to obtain "the desired streng h, rigi itly and resiliencyhy a Cparticular and pecu iar rel t've position an relation of a plurality of rornugations.

A further object is to provide a vcorrugated metallic plate of great strengths-11d resiliency at the center.

A rthe bject i s? WWW. a s resa d metal c Pl t that is sti f d ese -13.

Inthedraw igigsz j ig- 1 s A twee v ew a w rugate plate.

g- 2 s a top. ew i F 1-,

.Fig. 3 is across section of Fig. 1 on line Fig- 4 i a c oss sect on o Fig- 1 on lin g. i a ross Mon a Fig- 1 on l Fig. 6 is a View o a gate plat f m di ied term Fig.7 is a. top view'of Fig. 6. j

Fig.8 is a cross section ofFig. 5 on line 8,8.' j i Fig. 9 is a cross section of Fig. 6 on line 9&9.

Fig. 1.0 is a cross section of Fig. 6 on line 10-1 0.

Fig. 11 isa front View of a corrugated plate of modified form.

Fig. 12 is a top View of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a cross section of Fig. 11 on line 13-13. i

Fig. 14 is a cross section of 11 on line l4.-1 4. 1

Fig. 15. is a cross .section of Fig. 11. on line 15-15. g

Like characters of reference designate like parts.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, numeral 1 the plate, 2 the plane of the plate. Numeral 5 isthe majorcorrugation that forms the principal stiiiening" and rigidifying element; 6 is the valley formed between the major ,corrugations 5 7 isthe minor ,corrugation that is formed Within the major corrugationfi; 8 is the extremity of the corrugation and 9 is the fiat apex of the major corrugation.

The major corrugations 5 are uniform in Width and parallel to one another are provided with minor corrugations 7 that taper in Width and depth from the apices 9 and extremities '8 toward the center of the major corru ations 5 forming in efiect with the wQlleys a plurality of contiguous .and sinuous corrugations at the center of the plate that are uniform in width and depth, as at section 3? Fig. 2 is a top ,v-ieyv of Fig. 1 and shows the major corrugation 5 and the mi-nor corrugation-.7 tapering in depth from the apices 9 andeiztremities 8 toward the center of the 'major'corrugations 5. I

Fig. 3 is a cross section-showing the miiorrn contiguous and sinuous iormation and the convergence of the major and minor corrugations and the valleys 6 adjacent the center of the plate. l

Fig. 41s a cross section showing the minor corrugations 7 pressed in an opposite ,clirect n W h n t maj r or -newness 5 mid-= tit way between the center of the plate and the extremities of the corrugations.

Fig. 5 is a cross section showing the relatively wide major corrugation 5 provided with flat apiccs 9 and the valleys 6 just be- -iore merging into the original plane 2 of the plate 1.

Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive show a modification of the corrugated plate shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive in which 10 is the plate, 11 is the plane of the plate, 12 is the major corrugation, 13 is the minor corrugation and 1 1 is the valley.

The major corrugations 12 are of uniform depth but of varying width being widest adjacent the center and are provided with minor corrugations 13 that taper in width and depth from the apices 15 and the cxtremities 16 toward the center of the major corrugations 12 forming in effect a plurality of contiguous and sinuous corrugations adjacent the center of the plate that are uni form in width and depth, as at section 88. The valleys 14 being narrowest adj acent the center of the plate widen toward the extremities 16 of the corrugations.

Fig. 7 is a top edge View of Fig. 6 and shows the major corrugation 12 of uniform depth and the minor corrugation 13 tapering in depth from the apices 15 and extremities 16 of the major corrugation toward the center.

Fig. 8 is a cross section and shows the contiguous and sinuous formation and the convergence of the major and minor corrugations and the valleys l t adjacent the center of the plate.

Fig. 9 is a cross section and shows the minor corrugations 15) pressed in an opposite direction within the major corrugation l2 midway hetween the center of the plate and the extremities 16 of the corrugations.

Fig. 10 is a cross section and shows the major corrugations 12 of uniform depth and width provided with flat apices 15 just hefore merging into the original plane 11 of the plate 10 and with the parts of the plate between the major corrugations also flat.

Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive show a modification of the corrugated plate shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive and is similar in all respects except that the major corrugations 17 are provided with two minor corrugations 18.

The preferred form comprises a plurality of corrugations or emhossments spaced apart distances substantially equal to their width adjacent the middle of the plate that merge into each other to form a lesser number of corrugations adjacent the edges of the plate also spaced apart distances equal to their width and the middle and end portions of the corrugations are symmetrical in cross section about a line midway between the outermost portions of the corrugations so that this line is the neutral axis of the cross section, thus producing a very strong section for the amount of material used.

Metallic plates corrugated as descrihed wherein a plurality of corrugations merge into a contiguous, sinuous and uniform configuration at the center possess the advantage of great strength and elasticity and (by merging the corrugations together at their extremities) simplifies the termination into the original plane and margins of the plate resulting in a plate of comparatively little weight of maximui'n strength and one that is easy to manufacture. Although the figures disclose a plurality of sinuous corrugations merging together at the center, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to this particular configuration hut the corrugations at this point may he of any cross section.

This application is confined to the construction wherein the major corrugation is split into two or more minor corrugations, while my application Serial No. 595,634,

filed October 19, 1922, on metal end structures for railway cars covers the construction wherein the minorcorrugations merge to form the major corrugation. My co-pending applications Serial No. 132,622 and No. 132.623, both filed August 30, 1926. specili Cally cover the structure as applied to wall elements for railway cars.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is ohvions that various modifications thereof within the scope of the claims will occur to person-= skilled in the art.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A metallic plate wall elementhaving a plurality of major and minor corrugations ofvarying cross section the greater portion of their length, terminating vithin said plate, and merging together adjacent the center of said plate in a greater nmnher of contiguous corrugations of uniform depth and width.

2. A. metallic plate wall element having a plurality of major and minor corrugations terminating within the plate. said major corrugations heing parallel. said minor eorrugations positioned within said major corrugations being deepest and widest at the center thereof, forming a greater numher of corrugations contiguous and of uniform width and depth at the center of said plate.

3. A metallic plate wall element having a plurality of major and minor corrugations terminating within the plate, said major corrugations being widest at the center. said minor corrugations positioned within said major corrugations being deepest; and widest at the center thereof, forming a greater num- Ian ber of corrugations contiguous and of uniform width and depth at'the center of said structure having a plurality of reinforcements formed therein with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel, the middles of said reinforcements and the parts of the panel between them comprising tension and compression members substantially equal in width connected by webs spaced substantiaL ly equi-distant apart, aplurality of said reinforcements merging into each other adjacent their ends so that said reinforcements and the parts of the panel between them comprise relatively wider tension and compression members substantially equal in width connected by webs spaced substantially equidistant apart. V

7 A metallic panel for a railway car structure having a plurality of reinforcements formed therein with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel, the middles" of said reinforcements and the parts of the panel between them comprising tension and compression members substantially equal in width connected by webs spaced substantially equi-distant apart, a pluralityof said reinforcements merging into each other adjacent their ends so that said reinforcements and the: parts of the panel between. them comprise relatively wider tension and com: pression members substantially equal in width connected by webs spaced substantially equi-distant apart, the heightof said reinforcements remaining constant the major portion of their length. 7

8. A metallic plate having a plurality of reinforcements formed therein whose longitudinal axes are parallel comprising compression and tension members connected by webs and having reinforcing ribs springing from said tension members adjacent their ends which increase in depth and width toward the center of said reinforcements.

9. A metallic plate having a plurality of reinforcements formed therein whose longitudinal axes are parallel comprising compression and tension members connected by webs and having reinforcing ribs springing from one of said members adjacent their ends, which increase in depth and width toward the center of said reinforcements.

10.. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of corrugations terminating adjacent the edge thereof-that diverge intoa greater numberof corrugations at the center of said plate.

11. A metal plate providedwith a plurality of major and minor corrugations,"said major corrugations projecting from the original plane of said plate forming a uni.- form cross section at theends thereof with flat apices of greater width at the ends and diminishing in width towards the center of said corrugations where said major and minor corrugations merge and become contiguous and of a sinuous formation.

. 12.. A metallic plate having. a plurality of major and minor stiffening corrugations of varying cross section throughout the greater portion oftheir length butmerging together adjacent the endsof the corrugatlons forming a cross section uniform in depth, widthand shape symmetrical 1n cross section about a line midway between the outermost portions of the corrugations.

1:3. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of major and minor corrugations uniform and contiguous at their center, adjacent the middle of said plate and merge into a lesser" number of majorcorrugations adj a.-

cent its edges, the major corrugations being struck out parallel with the original plane of the plate, the minor corrugations pressed in opposite direction within the major corrugation, and at an angle to the original plane of the plate. g

14:. A metallic plate provided with a plura'lity of uniform contiguous corrugations at their center adjacent the middle of said plate that merge into each other to form a lesser number of larger corrugations adjacent the edges of said plate.

15. A metallic plate provided with a plurality ofconvergent corrugations that merge into a lesser number of corrugations adjacent the ends of said corrugations.

.16. A metallic plate having a plurality of corrugations terminating within said plate that merge into each other to form a lesser number of larger corrugations adjacent the edges of said plate, the cross sectional area of said corrugated plate being equal any where between the planes Where said corrugations begin to terminate into the plane of said plate.

17. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of reinforcements comprising a plu rality of stiffening ribs symmetrical in cross section about a line midway between the outermost portions of the ribs which merge into each other adjacent the ends of said reinforcements to form a plurality of wider stiffening ribs symmetrical in cross section rality of corrugations spaced apart distances substantially equal to their width, said corrugations merging adjacent the ends of the plate into each other to form a lesser member of corrugations spaced apart distances substantially equal to their width.

19. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of corrugations spaced apart distances substantially equal to their width, said corrugations merging adjacent the ends of the plate into a lesser number of wider corrugations spaced apart distances substantially equal to their width.

20. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of corrugations merging adjacent the ends of the plate into a lesser number of wider corrugations.

21. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of sinuous corrugations, said corrugations merging adjacent the ends of the plate into a lesser number of corrugations with substantially flat apices.

22. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of sinuous corrugations, said corruga tions merging adjacent the ends of the plate into a lesser number of wider corrugations with substantially flat apiccs.

23. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of sinuous corrugations with the parts of the plate between said corrugations also of sinuous configuration, said corrugations merging together adjacent their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer corrugations having substantially flat apiees with the parts of the plate between the last mentioned corrugations also being flat.

24. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of sinuous corrugations with the parts of the plate between said corrugations also of sinuous configuration, said corrugations merging together adjacent their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider cor rugations having substantially flat apices with the parts of the plate between the last mentioned corrugations also being flat.

25. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of sinuous corrugations with the parts of the plate between said corrugations also of sinuous configuration, said corrugations merging together adjacent their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer corrugations having substantially flat apices.

26. A metallic plate provided with a plurality of sinuous corrugations with the parts of the plate between said corrugations also of sinuous configuration, said corrugations merging together adjacent their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider corrugations having substantially flat apiccs.

27. A metallic panel for a railway car structure having a plurality of reinforcements formed therein with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel, said reinforcements and the parts of the panel between them con'iprising tension and conipression members comiectcd by webs, and reinforcing ribs springing from said tension members adjacent their ends which gradually increase in depth and in width toward the middles of the reinforcements.

28. A metallic panel for a railway car structure having a plurality of reinforcements formed therein with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel, said reinforcements and the parts of the panel between them comprising tension and compression members connected by webs, and reinforcing ribs springing from one of said members adjacent their ends which gradually increase in depth and in width toward the middles of the reinforcements.

29. The metallic panel for a railway car structure having a plurality of reinforcements formed therein with their longitudinal axes sul'istantially parallel, said reinforcements and the parts of the panel between them comprising, tension and compression members connected by webs, and reinforcing ribs springing from one of said members adjacent their ends which gradually increase in depth toward the middles of the reinforcements.

ARTHUR E. SMALL. 

